Thursday, August 9, 2012

Sources: Howard to Lakers, Iguodala to Nuggets, Bynum to 76ers, Afflalo/Harrington/picks to Magic in four team deal

Our long national nightmare seems to finally be over. After months of indecision and trade rumors, Dwight Howard has been traded, according to reports. The four team deal sends Howard to the Lakers, Andre Iguodala to the Nuggets, Andrew Bynum and Jason Richardson to the 76ers, and Arron Afflalo, Al Harrington, and three future first round picks to the Magic. Orlando will also get some other small pieces. The picks Orlando receives will come one each from the other three teams.

What is most shocking in this deal is that the Lakers were able to keep Pau Gasol. Most of the rumors that had been filtered through the media had Los Angeles dealing away both Gasol and Bynum.

There has been no indication if Howard will sign a long term deal with the Lakers, or if Bynum would do the same with Philadelphia. The Sixers are certainly a team on the rise, but a lot of that had to do with Andre Iguodala, who now heads to Denver to join Danilo Gallinari, Ty Lawson and company.

While Orlando probably makes out worst in terms of immediate additions, they gain some cap flexibility by unloading Richardson's contract and also invest in the future with a stockpile of draft picks. Howard simply had to be dealt, but you have to wonder if the Magic could have made out better in some of the previously rumored deals with Brooklyn or Houston.